This morning (after working all night last night) I drove out to Sun Valley High School to participate in a WGA-sponsored program to read scripts that some of the students have written. It was a blast! I think we read 7 scripts and I was in a about 5 of them.

It’s crazy because, we the actors, have almost zero time to prepare. We all just jumped in and went for it. In two of the scripts my character name was “Jose” so I used my newly acquired Spanish accent – funny and fun. I’ll be doing more of these in the near future. While I was working with the kids my agent emailed me to say that I’m still pinned for Grey’s Anatomy – wow, it’s been 2 full weeks since I auditioned and they still haven’t booked the role. I guess they haven’t “moved on without me”…at least not yet.

Afterwards, I drove home. Not yet to sleep, but to change clothes for a commercial audition.

Audition: “Taco Bell” @ Ross Lacy Casting. It went well and I’m right for it. NOW I can go home and sleep.

While asleep, my agent sends me another message informing me that the casting office for Grey’s Anatomy called to ask for my quote, but it still isn’t an official booking. That is great news. They didn’t say, at least not yet, that they won’t pay my quote (it isn’t that high) AND the fact that it’s a SAG job. Thankfully it isn’t an AFTRA job. Right now, SAG money is the best money for me.

Oh yeah, check out my friends new blog http://badassnikabrown.blogspot.com/

http://www.stephonfuller.com

I was scheduled to shoot new headshots today, but at the last minute, a same-day audition came up and conflicted with the time.

Audition: “Febreeze” @ Craig Colvin Casting. It had a great time and a great partner to work with. I still have never booked a job for Craig, but I sure appreciate him keeping me on his regular list of actors he calls in.

I rescheduled be my photo session for Monday. Hopefully, I can get it done then. Shooting headshots is a very anxiety-ridden process for me. I don’t feel all that photogenic, but I’ve gotten great results over the years.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition/Print go-see “Intel” @ Katie Taylor Casting. You know how these go; quick-fast, and in a hurry. It was over just as it started. They should book a brotha.

I still haven’t heard anything further about Grey’s Anatomy; I guess I’ll assume they’ve moved on without me. That’s okay, but for some reason, I still think I’m gonna book this job…not sure how if I also think they’ve moved on. Maybe I should call my agent and ask.

My agent said, yes, I am still in the running for the job. That was great news, surprising and great.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Over the weekend I went to Phoenix to visit my friend SonHui and see the Grand Canyon. Believe it or not I didn’t know that the Grand Canyon was located in Arizona. I always though it was in Colorado; I guess the Colorado River made me think that. Hey, I’m just being honest.

It was great to get away for a bit. I have a 115+ vacation hours at my “other job” and I need to use them so I bought a plane ticket. It is a breath taking thing to see. I have a hard time imagining just how long it has taken create that wonder of the world. I think, one day, I’d like to go back and take a mule ride and/or go white water rafting.

Back to work tonight…at the “other job”.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

My agent called to say that I’m still in the running for the job on Grey’s Anatomy”. Actually, it seemed more like I’m “the choice”; they just aren’t sure exactly what day it will. work They want to make sure before they book so they don’t have to pay for another day. I’ll take that as great news.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition/Tape: “Land of the Astronauts” @ Morman/Boling Casting. This is a SAG Modified Low Budget feature starring David Arquette. It went okay. It involved me, as a doctor, working with a patient that wasn’t really there. It went okay.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Today I was a member of a roundtable session with executives from the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) along with about a dozen other actors. We discussed what IMDB is to us, as individuals, how we use it, what we wish it would do that it currently doesn’t, etc.

The biggest topic was, of course, the “age thing”. Why do they list our date of birth? Why won’t they remove it if requested? It doesn’t affect me so much, because early on, back in the day, I entered my own date of birth June 28th, 19?? They acknowledged that having the age displayed can cost an actor a job in some situations; especially women. They’re trying to figure out a way to make everyone happy. Maybe placing it somewhere else within the profile and not on the front page could be an option. Maybe giving the actor control over it; I’m not sure I see that happening. The thing is that the casual viewer and some industry professionals do want to know an actors actual age. They’re trying to please many different groups of people. I’m not sure what the answer is, but they are looking into coming up with some sort of solution.

The StarMeter is a measurement of how many hits any page gets. It’s updated weekly. Pages get hits for any number of reasons some organic, some not so organic. No matter the reason, a hit is a hit and they all count.

Another hot topic was actors with the same or very similar names with credits that get mixed up with each other and the difficulty in getting them corrected. They recommended going through the traditional channels of adding/changing data and if that doesn’t work contact them directly. How do you do that??? Since you can’t really get them on the phone. How do you contact them directly? I think I have a few ideas. Plus, now I know where they live…or work rather.

That led to the issue of not being able to contact a human being on the phone. They discussed the notion of having a customer service department.

We spent a bit of time on the resume feature. Most of the actors in attendance didn’t use the feature, but the few that did gave their reasons why. Myself, I don’t use the feature. I don’t have anything against it; I’m just don’t feel I need to pay extra for it.

Why is it so difficult to remove a photo once it’s on the site? I don’t know; I’ve never tried to remove any photos. I didn’t really hear a straight answer to that. One actor said he was able to remove photos without issue. Being able to rearrange the photos was discussed as well.

We discussed being able to view credits in a different order other than chronologically. Also, the possibility of being able to highlight certain credits. Maybe, on your profile you could have something like “As seen on”; then have 3-4 of your favorite/best credits listed at the top of the page.

Another possible future feature that was discussed being able to have “favorites”. So if there is a group of 20 actors careers that you follow you can get to their profile very quickly with a single click. We talked about a feature of kind of a “Who knows who” type of thing. It might be similar to the degrees of Kevin Bacon type of thing, but more usable in the sense of being able to build and track relationships.

The tracking of commercials was brought up. I think that would be great. Yeah, now can put them in your “other works” area, but I think commercials warrant a legitimate category. That way casting/producers/directors etc. might have an easier way to track actors in commercials. Many film directors direct commercials as their “day job”. I think it would be great to compile that info as well.

I suggested being able to click on a director and, at a glance, be able to see what casting directors he/she has worked with. Same with producers, writers and the like. Most of this data is already there; it would just be making it easier to view at a glance.

We kicked around the notion of being to attach a video clip to a given credit – rights/clearance issues could be a problem.

Much more was discussed, but that’s about all my ADD-having ass can muster right now. I will say that it was an honor to be in the same room with the other actors in attendance. Some of them I knew, others I knew of but had never met and still others were brand new to me. I was proud to a part of such a sharp group of people who are very, very serious about their business. I also thank the IMDb executives for hosting such an honest roundtable to get the ear of us in the trenches.

After the meeting my agent informed that I am still being “pinned” for Grey’s Anatomy.

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I was supposed to hear something today about whether the “pin” in me for “Grey’s Anatomy” is to become a booking or a release, but there was no news…I’ll take that as good news.

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Last night I went to pick up mail at my old apartment. It was weird being in that space that I had lived in for 11 years and seeing it set up for someone else and it’s a woman. I knew they would put tile in the kitchen the moment I moved out and of course they did. It looked great.

I saw “Precious” this afternoon. Simply incredible work in front of and behind the camera.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Remember that audition for “Grey’s Anatomy” last week that I got a callback on, but let “life get in the way”? Yeah, I kinda beat myself up over that for a while afterwards. The saving grace was that I felt I did very well in the first audition and, even still, the callback wasn’t bad. It was just that I lost my focus over something silly. I didn’t prioritize.

Anyway today, one short week later, I had another audition scheduled for the next episode of “Grey’s Anatomy”. It’s a very similar type of role; a few lines to move the story along. Also, this time I’m going straight to read for the producers/director/writers rather than having to pre-read.

Audition/Producers: “Grey’s Anatomy” @ Lowy/Brace Casting. This went really well. Even though I didn’t have too much to do I had a ball doing it. It was fun to give a couple of lines a beginning, middle and end. When I finished, one of the casting directors said “Great…as usual”. Huh? That comment caught me by surprise. Not because I didn’t think I did great, because I didn’t feel that she would have really known who I was enough to refer to me in a sense of having a track record with her. That is probably a classic example of me underestimating exactly what a casting director’s responsibility is – knowing actors and what they can do. I can do the job. Thank you Linda Lowy; you put a smile on my face.

Several hours later, while I was getting some much needed rest, my agent called to tell me that there is a “pin” in me for the role on the show. That was great news to wake up to! Of course, I’m going out of town this weekend. As they say, “Buy a plane ticket if you wanna get a job”. I got a plane ticket, several in fact, now I hope I get the job. I’ll figure out the logistics.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “FedEx” @ Kathy Knowles Casting. This was fun and went really well. I have a pretty good callback and avail ratio at this office and have booked in the past. It’s way beyond time to book again.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Grey’s Anatomy” @ Lowy/Brace Casting. This audition was for a small co-star that I’m really right for and should book. It was also a pre-read. I didn’t have a problem being pre-read for the role, but I’m really looking forward to bigger and better things.

I’d dropped a photo to this casting office a couple of weeks ago and more recently did a workshop that went really well with someone from the office. I’ve met several people from this office over the years, but recently wanted to reacquaint myself. I don’t know if the workshop had anything to do with being called in, but I’ll take an appointment however I can get it.

It was a 2-line role and right before I was to go in to read the casting associate added another line of dialogue. Cool, it gave me just a little bit more to chew on. So I go in the room and the first read felt great. Sometimes I wish I didn’t know so much about the casting process. Why? Because I’m “a thinker”, my mind is constantly at work. I feel it often gets in my way and prevents me from doing things exceptionally well, but it often helps me too. I wish I could just turn it off at will, but I also love that very part of me.

I knew they were determining callbacks in the room and I would pretty much know right away. Of course I needed to get a callback to move on to the next step.

The casting director seemed happy with what I brought to the table and gave a little more insight to the character. I took that info and did it again; the casting director said “perfect” and gave me a time for the callback – 45 minutes later.

This is where sh*t got interesting. My new mattress that I ordered almost 3 weeks ago was finally scheduled for delivery today between noon and 4pm. Yup, my callback was scheduled for 12 noon...

Right away I called the delivery company to get a closer picture of exactly when they would be there. He said, “right around noon”. To make a long story, I ended up driving home to meet them, which was by far the dumbest thing I could have done. I knew I could make it back in time for the callback, but my focus was a little off. Of course the delivery truck wasn’t there and I drove right back to the studio, arriving right at noon. I went in to read right away for the director. It went okay, not bad at all, but I was really upset with myself for not prioritizing. I know better than that.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

I finally purchased my new bed frame today. I had to rent a van to go pick it up. I didn’t want to pay a $90 delivery charge. The headboard was so large they had to take it out of the box to get it in the van. I don’t know what I was thinking in trying to do it all by myself! For some reason I have a big problem asking for help. Well, not “some reason”. I know exactly why I rarely ask for help; I hate to feel as though I’m imposing on others and I really enjoy challenging myself. I like to see what I can do when I know the average person would think they couldn’t do it. I learned that as a teenager when I used ride BMX back in the day. I often tell myself; “try it, you just might be able to do it.” That way of think helps me a lot, but I need to work on letting people help. Another thing I fear is that people won’t help me. THAT is a fear of rejection. Funny enough, I don’t have a fear of rejection in my acting life, but I do in my real life. Go figure.

Anyway, I somehow got it accomplished; it probably wasn’t smart, but I did it. Stephon Fuller Delivery Service cost $57 and a lot of sweat…it was worth it and I really like what I bought, but I think my bedroom furniture is bigger than my bedroom. I figure I won’t always live in a relatively small apartment and I want to look forward into what I anticipate happening in the future.

Tonight was the first night of my 5-week beginner Spanish class. It was interesting and I should learn a lot. The teacher is cool and nice, but it would be even better if he was more direct in his approach and took command of the class so my mind doesn’t wander – ADD, yeah focus is a big problem for me.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Time –Warner” @ Ross Lacy Casting. Eh, neither here nor there; we’ll see.

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Audition: “Walgreen’s” @ Ross Lacy Casting. This was quick-fast; just a few questions. They asked me where I would be if I wasn’t in Los Angeles pursuing an acting career. Of course my answer was back in Virginia Beach; at least that where I think I’d be.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Honda” @ Ross Lacy Casting. Not so much. The closest I think I’ll get to a callback on this is driving my ’98 Honda Accord Coupe. NEXT!!!

Oh yeah, my agents met to discuss what I might do to help things along in my career, which is, albeit to a much smaller degree, going to help their careers too. I’m going to explore getting new headshots! Actually, that’s not true. I’m not going to explore, I’m going to do it. I have to be a man of action if I want anything to happen. That is exactly how I got to where I am. By actually doing things. I do not like shooting headshots – at all. I’ve been very successful with getting good photos, in years past, but I don’t really enjoy the process.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition/Producers: “Brothers” @ Susan Vash Casting. There a few recognizable names/former series regulars at this audition which sort of explains why it’s been as slow as it’s been for me over the last year. Lots of people are willing to read for projects that maybe they wouldn’t have in years past. I didn’t let it bother me; I went in and did my thing.

I had traffic school last night and finished up tonight. Two long, four-hour evenings. Yeah, I was cited for a minor driving infraction in Santa Monica a couple of months ago. I figured it was better to go to traffic school than to take the hit on my driving record. I could have done it online, but I figured it was better for me to actually go there and sit through it. I’m on this kick where I’m trying to get out more and mix with more people outside of the business. My friend count outside of the business count is very, very low. So I’m forcing myself to get out more – it’s not working out all that well, but I’m starting a Spanish class soon.

Getting the ticket was a good wake-up call for me and I learned a lot in the class, plus, the instructor was pretty entertaining. That said, I don’t plan on getting anymore tickets anytime soon.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Burger King” @ Craig Colvin Casting. Uh, not so much…

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Wow, it has been sooo slow for me lately. Funny enough, I’m not tripping out because I’ve been working so many hours at the….job. THAT is a trap that I have to be very careful about. I didn’t move 3,000 miles away from my family to ask people how they want their burgers cooked or what type of vodka they want in whatever you put vodka in (I’m stilled confused about that vodkarumtequilagin stuff). Sometimes it makes me want to take my first drink; trust me, it can be quite the challenge at times. I have a lot of tricks to get through it – it’s not usually easy. That said, I still maintain that going back to work was the single smartest decision I made in 2008. I have really made it work for me, but I can’t get “caught up”.

Guess what? After almost 2 weeks I have a commercial audition. Go figure.

Audition: “careerbuilder.com” @ Cathi Carlton Casting. This was great! The audition required me to perform in my underwear. Now I’m not at all an exhibitionist, but for some reason I have NO problem being scantily clad for a reason; especially for the chance to have fun AND get paid. It was amazing that I can walk into a room with 4 other stranger and within 90 seconds we all had stripped down to our underwear/bra/panties and were able to peform as though we’d known each other for years…I love that! Needless to say the audition went very well and it was in the same room I booked the KY Brand commercial…scantily clad as well. Maybe that’s why I continue to go to the gym.

I spoke earlier about how slow it’s been for me lately. Commercially hasn’t been so bad, but theatrically it’s been abysmal for the last year or so. Make no mistake, I’m doing better than most; I’ve still booked a few jobs and have had some appointments, but I’m not were I need to be.

I sent an email to my 3 theatrical agents to ask them if there is anything I can do to help. They got back to me before the end of the day. One of the agents said to “hang in there” and that it’s picking up and one of the others said the 3 of them would meet and get back to me. Cool, glad they got back to me; that wouldn’t happen at most agencies around town.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Well, today is the day that my contract with my theatrical agency expires. I’ve been with them for over 11 years; I wonder if they will ask me to re-sign. I’m not sure; I mean I haven’t exactly set the world on fire in recent years, but I think I have a lot of potential to do quite well. Let me re-phrase that. I have done quite well. If I quit acting professionally today I’d have a lot to be proud of and a SAG pension too. That said; I have a lot more to accomplish. Even as I struggle with wanting to be in Virginia Beach with my family I feel a stronger yearning to act…and I will.

It’s funny, because I’d never really questioned it before and I’m not really questioning it now, but the thought of being dropped by my agency has crossed my mind. No matter what happens I gotta get my ass in gear.

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Sixteen years ago this evening, at 7pm, I started my first acting class in Virginia Beach, VA. Wow, a lot has happened since then. I don’t know if I’m surprised or not. I guess in some ways I am and in other ways not so much. Will I still be doing this 16 years from now? I don’t know. Will I be doing it 16 months from now? I don’t know that either. I do know that it’s been a fun ride. Also, I think back to how many people that I studied with so many years ago that are still in the game. There are quite a few, right here in Los Angeles, and I’m proud to be one of them. Happy anniversary to me.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Callback: “K-Mart” @ Ross Lacy Casting. OMG! I had a blast at this callback; much better than the first audition. That just goes to show; you never know what the powers that be are looking for. I mean, how did I even get called back for this? I felt terrible when I left the room after this audition. It doesn’t really matter how I felt about the performance; it matters that “they” felt. “They” being the client, director, ad agency, copywriter, producer, casting director and/or session runner, etc. Yes, don’t forget the session runner. In some cases, the session runner can be the one to decide to not leave your performance on the tape/CD – almost like you never showered, shaved, deodorized and drove across town to look all fresh and purty for the audition in the first. Something to think about huh?

Anyway, it was a good one and they should book me. Right?

www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: “Walgreen’s” @ Ross Lacy Casting. This one was fun. The best part was the banter amongst the actors in the room. It times like that that I really, really enjoy being a performer. Not everyone can do what we do.

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Audition: “K-Mart” @ Ross Lacy Casting. Ugh…not a good showing. Not sure what happened, but it didn’t feel good.

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Audition: “Verizon” @ Ross Lacy Casting. A fun good time with a great partner. What more could I ask for? A callback, avail and a booking. Sounds simple to me…

I passed the written part of the motorcycle course last night. I missed 3 out of 47 questions – 94%. Now I have to pass the written part @ the DMV – I’m going get 100% on that one.

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This past weekend I took the riding part of the program to get my motorcycle license. I’ve never ridden a street bike, but obviously I know how to shift gears and have great balance so it should be no problem for me. It was fun, but I have to say it was difficult to go so slow for so long. I wanted to go fast and hit some jumps and turns.

The important thing is that I passed. In a few days I have to complete and pass the classroom part so I can then go to the DMV and add the motorcycle endorsement to my drivers license. Right now I have no plans to get a bike or a scooter, it was just something I’ve wanted to do for a while. Lately, I’ve been thinking about learning to shoot a gun…no plans to get one of those either.

Audition “Prevacid” @ Toni Silvera Bush Casting. There was a lot of copy for this one and I think I handled it fairly well…which isn’t always the case for me.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

After working last night and sleeping for an hour or so I was awakened with a same-day audition. Thankfully, that motivated me to go to the gym; somewhere I didn’t plan on going to. Then, when I finished working out I had a message with another same-day audition.

Audition: “Wendy’s” @ ASG Casting. This one had “callback” written all over it for me…not really. It didn’t go bad at all, but nothing special…we’ll see.

Audition: “Michigan Lottery” @ Vicki Goggin Casting. This one went pretty well and I would love to go to Michigan to shoot it. Call me…

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: "Snickers" @ Ross Lacy Casting. This was a lot of fun and a funny spot. I think I’m right for it so, hopefully, I’ll get a callback.

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Audition/Producers “Better Off Ted” @ Thomas/Adler Casting. This is another great situation. I went in on this show just last week and my agent informed me that the role went to someone already established on the show. I’m thrilled that they are bringing me right back in; the season is young.

I felt the audition went really well. I did it one time and walked away feeling that they were liked what they saw. If nothing else, I think I'll stay on the list of actors to bring back in and that is a great place to be. That said, it's nice to be on that list, but I'm looking to book jobs these days; I've been on the list long enough.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition: "Arby's" @ Rick Montgomery Casting. Uh!!! Not so much. I couldn't find my own voice for this one. I had to get a line reading from the casting director. He got me there, but it took work. That said, it wouldn't surprised me if I get a callback.

Rick is normally a film casting director.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Audition/Producers/Tape “Castle” @ Donna Rosenstein Casting. Cool, I just read for this office at the Universal location for “Ghost Whisperer” 2 weeks ago and I just did a drop-off to this location the other day.

The audition went okay, I guess. I wish it would have gone better. I’ve never booked anything for either office and I’m itching to change that. If nothing else; it’s great that they continue to call me in.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Callback “Sprint/NFL” @ Martin Casting. Yes! I was starting to wonder where all my callbacks had gone; it seemed like it had been forever. Anyway, this one went well and I hope they decide to hire me.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

The Premiere of “Junkie Nurse” aka “Boppin’ at the Glue Factory” was last night at The Downtown Film Festival. I have to admit that I was unprepared for what happened. I think it was simply that I’ve had a lot going on lately with the move and all and I wasn’t consciously aware that this was my first film festival. Plus, it was so long ago that we film it.

One of the first people I saw when I entered the facility was director Jeff Orgill. After saying “hello”, the very next thing he wanted was to take me back downstairs for me to be interviewed about the film. WHAT??? Oh sh*t. I was trying to hold my composure, but I was a nervous wreck. It was so long ago that I honestly couldn’t remember all the scenes I was in. An instant later I find myself being interviewed by this young lady about my role in the film. I immediately knew that I should have been better prepared.

After the interview I went back upstairs where photographers were shooting photos of me and some of the other cast members. Obviously, it wasn’t crazy by Hollywood standards, but it was a damn trip for a guy like me who doesn’t usually seek out attention. After that we viewed the film and I was very, very happy with how it came out. It looked great and they even gave us a DVD copy of it. I had forgotten that I was in so many scenes; small, little comic-relief type bits, but quite a few of them. There was a very healthy audience in attendance and afterwards the whole cast went up on stage for a few questions. Afterwards, in the lobby, I was shocked at how many people came up to me to say they like me in the film.

All in all it was a fun experience; especially finally seeing the finished product…and getting a DVD copy without even having to ask. One thing is for sure that I’ll be better prepared next time…

http://www.stephonfuller.com

Tonight is the screening/Q&A of an independent film I worked on more than 4 years ago. It used to be called “Boppin’ at the glue Factory”, but the name has been changed to “Junkie Nurse” which I like a lot better.

It seems like so long ago that I worked on it and was driving back and forth to Norwalk 25 miles away to shoot in a real mental hospital. I must admit it was a little spooky at times. Well, maybe not spooky, but I couldn’t help but think of things that had happened behind the gates of the hospital through the years. Mental illness is no laughing matter…well maybe in the movies. It was a fun shoot and I actually had a love scene. Yeah, a real live, fake, movie set love scene. Now THAT was interesting.

It’s done quite well on the festival circuit and I look forward to seeing the finished product and the cast & crew.

==========
Downtown Film Festival Los Angeles Premiere ofJUNKIE NURSE (aka Boppin' At The Glue Factory).

WINNER - BEST FEATURE - Seattle True Independent Film Festival 2009WINNER - BEST FILM - Tregor Film Festival, France
WINNER - BEST DIRECTOR - Tregor Film Festival, France

A junkie nurse stumbles into his dream job: running the graveyard shift at a convalescent home. He beguiles the staff and charms the old folks. Then just as his drugs run out and the management starts closing in, a crafty old jazzman discovers his secret and makes him a sweet deal, but with heavy consequences.
This Sunday, August 16 7:00pm at the AT&T Center Theater, 1150 S. Olive St. Los Angeles, CA 90015 All ticket holders are invited to the after-party. Party info at screening.

================

I even got a mention in one of the reviews - http://jaredmobarakreviews.wordpress.com/2009/05/08/boppin-at-the-glue-factory/

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Audition: “Walgreens” @ Ross Lacy Casting. What is a week in my life without an appointment at Ross Lacy Casting? A relatively odd week. Anyway, this was a simple interview type of situation and I went in with a really fun group of performers.

http://www.stephonfuller.com/

Audition: “Sprint/NFL” @ Martin Casting. This was a fun and I had a conversation with a really sweet and kind actress while waiting to go in…and we mostly talked about things not related to the business.

Audition: “Better Off Ted” @ Thomas/Adler Casting. I think this went well, but I might look a bit young for it. Not “be” a bit young, but “look” a bit young for it. Funny enough it was a pre-read for a small co-star role. A few days ago I went straight to producers for a recurring role. I ain’t tripping though; it’s all good...especially these days in the economy. It’s good that casting offices still know who I am; that is a huge victory in itself…and who knows, maybe I’ll get a callback.

http://www.stephonfuller.com/

Audition “National Grid” @ ASG Casting. Simple, question and answer type of situation and I didn’t even trip over my own words.

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Audition/Producers “Ghost Whisperer” @ Donna Rosenstein Casting. This is a role I should book – plain and simple. I rarely, in my opinion, have been more right for a role than I have for this one. I think it’s the type of role that will move me to the next level in my career. Not because it’s some type of great role per se; it’s just a role that I can walk in the room and be with little effort. Typically, an actor is typecast that way and then is able to expand from that base of a character in his/her career…at least I think so.

In the room was the director, 2 writers, a producer and casting. Everyone was very friendly. I had one question and then did the scene the way I committed to in rehearsal, got direction and did it again a whole different way. As I was reading it the second time I could feel that they were engaged and listening. I walked out feeling really good, plus the director liked my pants. This is a potentially recurring role and I’m glad they brought me straight to producers for it. No matter what happens I feel that they will continue to bring me, but eventually it’s time to get the job. I think I booked “Monk” on my sixth time in the room.

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Audition: “Old Dominion Freight Lines” @ Stuart Stone Casting. Simply dialogue situation; I killed it! Just kidding. Not really, I delivered in that room I tell ya, plus I’m from the Old Dominion area in Virginia.

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Audition: “24” @ Pagano/Manwiller Casting. This one didn’t go well and I’m, admittedly, a little upset about it. It was one of those situations where I wondered whether to commit to the realities of all the stuff written in the scene or, as they say, “just read it”. I chose to go with the realities of what was on the page and that wasn’t what they were looking for. I don’t think I over did it, but when do you know when to ignore certain parts of the writing? I mean it said there was freakin’ radiation inside the vehicle. Do I ignore that? Radiation seems pretty serious to me. Anyway, I probably came off as too melodramatic when I read it the first time, but I guarantee you it will be filmed that way. THAT’S why is so important to know what serves an audition situation versus being on the actual set shooting the scene in hair, make-up and props…two different beasts. NEXT!

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I’ve been moving to a new apartment over the last 10 days or so and today is the day that I finally turn in the keys of the studio apartment where I have lived for the last 11 years…yup 11 years. That’s longer than I’ve lived anywhere other than the boyhood home I grew up in. I didn’t plan on doing it over such a long period of time, but I’m glad I did. I think the new apartment had been vacant for a minute so they were eager to get me on the payroll.

It worked out well because I didn’t have to take the weekend off of work like I had planned. I just did a little moving everyday over the 10 day period when I had the energy. Let me tell you, these overnight shifts are a beast. I do not, I repeat DO NOT recommend working graveyard shifts. It’s like going down a one-way street against oncoming traffic. That said; I have definitely made the situation work for me. I devised a plan some time ago and I have to say it’s working really well. At the same time I have to look at other phases of the plan, because I have no plans of doing this indefinitely…physically I can’t.

As I was making the final trips back and forth to my car I became more and more eager to finish, turn in the keys and be on my way. On the way out the door the very last time it hit me that this chapter in my life was over. Forgive me for making this move into such a dramatic thing, but I guess it’s all relative because it has been a major thing to me. I’ve been nervous and extremely anxious for months- headaches and all. I remember when I moved here from New York; I had a headache for 6 weeks.

Anyway, as I was about to lock the door for the last time I stopped dead in my tracks. I put the items down that I had in my hands and re-entered the apartment. It looked exactly as it had on June 28th, 1998, my birthday. That was my last day of my LA trip for my agent meetings. I prayed that I would be approved. I remember being so excited about living alone, having a little natural light that I never had in New York and moving to the next chapter in my journey. Looking at the empty place made it very clear as to why I wanted to live there. I guess I was “stopping to smell the roses”. It almost brought tears to my eyes..almost.

Next stop; the rental office. The property manager was very nice and wished me well. I got in my car, screamed with joy that it was over and gave the middle finger to the “No Parking from 6am to 11pm” signs for the next day. FU!! No parking signs!...I’m serious…I did 11 years.

The old parking spot...at least for March 16 '04. There's my old white Honda with "for sale" signs on it in the background.



The new parking spot...cold chillin'....Underground parking was one of the "must haves' along with central air, carpet and of course a bedroom with a door.


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Eleven years ago today I left New York on an ATA flight to Chicago on my way to Los Angeles to continue the journey of my acting career. While on my layover in Chicago I called my new agent, Alicia @ KSR (formerly KSA), and informed her that I was flying standby and didn’t know exactly what time I’d land in Los Angeles – tonight or early in the morning. Either way I told her that I would be ready to rock n roll by 12 noon tomorrow. She answered that she had an appointment for @ 10am….let the games begins.

That first week in Los Angeles Alicia got me 3 commercial auditions and, in return, I gave her 3 callbacks. I didn’t book any of them, but eventually that would change. So much has happened in those eleven years. I have been fortunate to work on numerous TV shows, a few films, 30+ commercials and even travel to a few places. It’s often said that it takes 10 years to be an overnight sensation. I guess things are about to get interesting.

Audition: “Toyota/NFL” @ Joe Blake Casting. This went really, really well. It’s for 16 spots!! They HAVE to bring me to callbacks. Well, they don’t have to, but it would be smart I think. I can add to this project MAN! 16 spots! I’d start specifically saving to invest in the family business or a condo/house – or both.

Oh yeah, here is the link to the CNN piece where I’m quoted. I was also quoted in an article in Back Stage…wow twice in one week! I guess I’m “moving on up!”

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Audition: “Comcast” @ Ross Lacy Casting. This one went really well. Wall-to-wall copy, but they wanted it kind of loose so I was really able to make it my own. They should bring me back.

I think I’m going to be quoted in a piece about the entertainment business in a CNN.com story on Monday the 27th.

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Today is the big day. The day I start moving from my studio apartment that I’ve lived in for the past 11 years to a deeeluxe apartment in the sky!! Yup, moving on up like the Jefferson’s! This has been a long time coming. Not sure why I waited so long, but the past is the past and I’m moving forward.

I can’t believe how much crap I have gathered over the years. I am purging in a big way. Never again will I have so much stuff…at least until I have a wife and kids.

My new refrigerator was delivered this morning, but they brought me a white one instead of the black one that I wanted – I’ll give it a couple of days and see if wanna keep the white one; if not, they’ll have to come back and swap it for the correct one.

I can already feel the beginnings of a new energy and my theatrical agent said that TV is picking up in a big way.

Audition/Producers: “Brand Dead” @ Dori Zuckerman/Lorna Johnson Casting. Honestly, I didn’t feel as prepared as I should have been for this appointment, but it still went okay. I just have so much going on right now with working fulltime overnight shifts, a few auditions here and there and the moving thing has my anxiety levels going crazy. Who knows, maybe I’ll hear back from them.

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Audition: “Southwest Airlines” @ Cathi Carlton Casting. I was all over the place in this audition, but since it was sort of an improv type situation it worked pretty well – a little off balance and very real. Hopefully, I’ll get a callback.

A very strange thing happened immediately after I walked out of the audition room. An actor approached me and raved and raved…and raved about the WaMu commercial that I had done last year. I mean he thought it was just the greatest piece of work. At first I just didn’t know what to say other than “thank you”, but then I shared some of how it actually came about and the 4-day shoot. It was pretty cool. I think I sometimes forget that I have actually worked in this business. I don’t really carry it on my sleeve. I just have so many other things on my mind these days, but make no mistake, I love what I do. I just love other things too.

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Audition: “Lincoln” @ Terry Berland Casting. This was fun! I had a great lady playing my wife and we hit it off right away. I’m hoping it looked as good as it felt. I’m way overdue for another booking and hopefully my “KY Brand” spot will start running sooner or later.

I bought my refrigerator for my new apartment and set up delivery today. Things are really coming together for the move. I’m anxious, a little nervous, but excited. I had a very specific plan and it’s all coming together the way I’d hoped. I’m purging a lot of “stuff”. There are things I currently have that I do not want to see the light of day in my new place. I’ve also bought stuff for the new place that I’ve left in my car because I want it to be as fresh of a start as it can be. A similar thing happened when I moved to New York; I want it to be a brand new chapter – a real change. I feel it inside of me.

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Audition: “Anti-Smoking PSA” @ Gabrielle Schary Casting. This was a pretty funny audition and it went well. Hopefully I’ll get a callback.

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Today someone I met a few months ago looked me up on IMDB and commented about the acting credits I’ve built up over the years. She assumed that “a good amount of them” were background credits without dialogue. I wasn’t at all offended; I was intrigued by how she came up with that assessment. I asked her and she said she thought I was the type that would talk a good game, but really be full of a lot of hot air. What ??? I mean I talk a lot of smack, but it’s usually when I’m in character and just messing around. I guess she believed the character I created. I found that to be hilarious. Actually, I hadn’t spoken to her about my credits at all which is why she didn’t already know what I had or hadn’t done. I take the whole thing as a huge compliment because every single one of my credits were and are hard earned and legitimate.

I think it’s simply that’s she’s new to the game and didn’t really know that I’m not so new to the game. I also don’t think she knows many actors who have actually made a living as a professional performer for any length of time – so she assumed that I hadn’t either. I wonder how many other people might think the same thing. Who knows…

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This morning I gave my 30-day notice that I’d be vacating my studio apartment after 11 years. It felt weird and exciting at the same time. For some reason I was a little nervous…don’t ask why. I’m nervous about a lot of things in general, but I don’t usually let it stop me. I think I get so nervous because I tend over analyze almost everything.

When I walked in the office I wasn’t sure if the property manager had already been alerted that I was leaving or not. She had; she told me the new leasing company had called and she gave me a great reference. Not sure why I was nervous about that because, yes, I deserved a great reference.

SHOOTING: “Greenpeace PSA” in Silverlake. This was fun and, again, proves to me that not everyone can do what “we” as performers do. Nope. Not everyone is interesting. Some may be interesting in a reality show sense; like watching a car accident (and yes, I do watch some of those accidents). But not everyone is interesting in a “talent” sense. The lead actor in the PSA we were shooting was organically interesting take after take, after take. A very talented man and I was honored to get to work with him.

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I signed my lease for my new apartment today!! All 200 pages; well, maybe not 200 pages, but a whole lot of pages. I’m really excited.

AND

This morning, while in a comatose-like state after working last night, one of my commercial agents, Alicia, called to inform me that I booked the “Greenpeace” PSA. The pay isn’t much to speak of, but it’s for a good cause and one of the best commercial CD’s in town – which means the entire industry. Yeah, Ross Lacy is top-notch. Thanks again Ross!

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